Novotel Dakar, Senegal

I recently stayed twice at this Novotel. Neither stay was memorable in any positive way. This hotel is completely worn out needing a complete renovation.

There are three Accor hotels in Dakar: Pullman (currently closed for renovations), Novotel and Ibis (right next door to the Novotel). Some colleagues staying at both the Novotel and Ibis judged the Ibis to be the better of the two.

Check in was swift enough but not exactly welcoming nor was anything prepared. The first drinks vocher (mareked gold) was valid for 1000 XOF (more about that later).

The first room I was given was a dank dark room with a musty smell on the sea facing side. Windows cannot be opened in any of the rooms and have to be unlocked by maintenance. I noticed on my phone that the wifi was barely working and immediately returned to reception so ask why I was not upgraded and explaining that I needed a room with functioning wifi.

After having spoken to the manager I was given a junior suite which was the same, just bigger. The furniture is standard Novotel fare. The beds are not very comfortable and the pillows were lumpy. Towels were worn.

On my second stay I couldn't be bothered and settled for the again non-upgraded regular room.

The corridors and rooms are in desperate need of new carpets and paint. Carpets were absolutely filthy.

Service was very limited. When I tried to redeem my drinks voucher (1000 XOF) I was told at the bar I could only have a beer costing exactly 1000 XOF and not use the voucher as part payment. Absolutely ludicrous.

At my second stay I was given a voucher for 2000 XOF. Confusing.

Breakfast is buffet style with the basics: cold options and some hot stuff. Nothing was very impressive but it was sufficient. The juices were industrial and poor and the coffee came from flasks or from a badly tasting machine.

One night I had dinner at the outside bar and the double burger was well cocked and tasty.

The welcome gift at the first stay was a bottle filled with nuts (apparently this is a typical Senegalese thing) and some biscuits.  The second time just biscuits.

Also the fridge was stocked up with free drinks for the stay (not night). Normally only 2 bottles of water are provided.

The hotel is located directly at the coast and you have great views over the sea from some rooms. If you get maintenance to open the window you can hear the sea. City facing rooms have a view over Dakar.

The city is easily accessible from the hotel. There is a well stocked supermarket 5 minutes away.

All three Accor hotels have their own airport shuttle. It takes about 45 minutes (or much longer in rush hour).

Sea view:

City view:

It is a shame that this hotel has been allowed to slide into the sorry state it is now. It would not take that much to bring it back to normal Novotel standards, all it takes is some customer service training, new carpets, linen and paint.

Given the shortage of decent hotels in Dakar it appears that they just can't be bothered.